All About Tattoos

Human Biology S. Dosman

History of Tattoos

• The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word “tatu” which means to mark something.

• Tattoos were originally traced back to ancient Egypt with the discovery of tattooed female mummies dating around 2000 BC.

• However, a recent discovery of a tattooed iceman dates the art of tattooing even further back as he was carbon dated to be about 5,200 years old.

History of Tattoos• Early tattoos are believed to be linked to

religion, healing, branding to identify wrong doers, clan markings, rites of passage, love charms and good luck.

• Tattoos were introduced to Europeans when they arrived in the New World and discovered the art practiced by Native Americans.

• They became very popular with sailors who used to tattoo a chicken on one foot and a pig on the other to protect them from death by drowning.

History of Tattoos

• Early tattoos were painful and slow as each puncture of a needle had to then be filled with ink.

• The first electric tattoo gun was created in 1891. It meant that most people could get a reasonably priced tattoo in a shorter period of time.

• Tattoos lost much of their credibility in the turn of the century and were mostly only worn by “circus freaks” and the upper class turned away from them.

Modern Tattooing• The birthplace of modern tattooing is Chatham

Square in New York City. Interest in tattooing was declining in the developed world but flourishing in NY.

• First the depression in the 1920’s and then an outbreak of hepatitis in 1961 set the world of tattooing reeling.

• It wasn’t until the late 1960’s when some prominent people began getting tattoos that the craft rebounded.

1. What is a Tattoo?

• A tattoo is a deep puncture wound made in the dermis of the skin that is then filled with ink.

• A tattoo gun that contains a needle is used to drive the ink about 3mm into your skin.

2. Where is the ink placed in your skin?

• The ink is injected into the dermis, the second layer of skin.

• Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is basically permanent.

3. What is a tattoo machine and how does it work?

• A tattoo machine is a handheld electric instrument that uses a tube and needle system.

• On one end is a sterilized needle, which is attached to tubes that contain ink.

• A foot switch is used to turn on the machine, which moves the needle in and out while driving the ink about 1/8 inch (about 3 millimeters) into your skin.

4. Why is it important for a tattoo artist to know how deep to place the needle into your

skin?

• Most tattoo artists know how deep to drive the needle into your skin.

• If they do not go deep enough it will produce a ragged tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding and intense pain.

5. How do people describe the sensation of getting a tattoo?

• Some people claim it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times.

• Some people describe the tattoo sensation as "tingling."

• It all depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on your body you're getting the tattoo.

6. Due to the fact that tattoos leave you at risk for infections, what should you do before you get a

tattoo?

• You should make sure you're up to date with your immunizations, especially hepatitis and tetanus shots.

• You may also want to plan where you'll get medical care if your tattoo becomes infected.

• Also, if you have any serious medical conditions you should check with your doctor to make sure that a tattoo is safe for you.

7. Choosing a good, clean tattoo studio is important. What three things should you check for?

• Make sure the tattoo studio has an autoclave (a device that uses steam, pressure, and heat for sterilization). You should be allowed to watch as equipment is sterilized in the autoclave.

• Check that the tattoo artist is a licensed practitioner and it is a good idea to ask for references.

• Be sure that the tattoo studio follows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions. These are regulations that outline procedures to be followed when dealing with bodily fluids (in this case, blood).

8. The article describes the step by step process a tattoo artist should take during the placement of your tattoo. Do you notice anything that consistently shows up in each step?

• Each step includes some form of cleaning or sterilized equipment.

• The steps show very clearly that that studio needs to be taking a lot of precautions to ensure your safety.

9. How would you know if your tattoo has become infected?

• Signs of infection include symptoms such as pain, spreading redness, swelling, or the drainage of pus.

10. Summarize how you should take care of your tattoo so that it heals properly.

• Keep a bandage on the area for up to 24 hours.• Avoid touching the tattooed area and don't pick at any scabs• Wash the tattoo with an antibacterial soap (don't use alcohol or

peroxide — they'll dry out the tattoo). Use a soft towel to dry the tattoo — just pat it dry and be sure not to rub it.

• If you don't have an allergy to antibiotic ointment, rub some into the tattoo. Don't use petroleum jelly — it may cause the tattoo to fade.

• Put an ice pack on the tattooed area if you see any redness or swelling.

• Try not to get the tattoo wet until it fully heals. Stay away from pools, hot tubs, or long, hot baths.

• Keep your tattoo away from the sun until it's fully healed.

11. What types of infections can you get from a tattoo if the studio does not use sterilized equipment?

• You're putting yourself at risk for getting viral infections such as hepatitis, bacterial skin infections, or dermatitis (severe skin irritation).

• Some people also have allergic reactions to the ink.

• HIV can also be contracted.

12. What three things can have an effect on the ability to completely remove a tattoo?

• Being able to completely remove a tattoo may depend on how old the tattoo is, how big the tattoo is, and the types and colors of inks that were used.

13. How does the laser removal procedure work?

• Laser tattoo removal usually requires a number of visits, with each procedure lasting only a few minutes. Anesthesia may or may not be used.

• The laser sends short zaps of light through the top layers of your skin, with the laser's energy aimed at specific pigments in the tattoo.

• Those zapped pigments are then removed by your body's immune system.

14. What are some side effects of laser tattoo removal?

• The area can become infected or scarred, and it can also be susceptible to hyperpigmentation, which causes the area where your tattoo used to be to become darker than your normal skin.

• You may also develop hypopigmentation, which causes the area where your tattoo used to be to become lighter than your normal skin color.